Amendment is not needed for medical marijuana

If Floridians want a way to obtain medical marijuana safely and responsibly, they have one now.

The Florida Legislature passed and Gov. Rick Scott signed a bill that will provide marijuana in a safe and effective form.

Charlotte’s Web, a marijuana strain low in the compound THC that gets users high, has been shown to curb seizures in children with intractable epilepsy not controlled by traditional medication.

Senate Bill 1030, introduced by Sen. Rob Bradley of Clay County and others, is designed to provide compassionate use of marijuana under regulated conditions.

For instance, physicians may only register patients with severe or chronic seizures or muscle spasms who have been treated for six or more months.

Patients prescribed medical grade marijuana are added to a registry maintained by the state.

To expand uses of medical marijuana, proponents should propose a law in the Legislature.

This is how laws should be made.

And it stands in contrast to Amendment Two to the Florida Constitution on the ballot this fall.

It is so broad that it has earned the opposition of the Florida Sheriffs Association and Jacksonville Sheriff John Rutherford.

The constitutional amendment’s summary refers to medical marijuana. But in reality it is a stalking horse for recreational use.

Among those who can receive marijuana under the amendment would be an “other” category that is too vague.

Physicians would provide an approval for using marijuana if they believe its use would outweigh health risks.

“They want you to think this is medical, but this is recreational,” Rutherford said. “You could get it for most anything — anxiety, cramps, a sore back.”

The amendment also would put physicians into the thankless job of being gatekeepers for marijuana use. Does a patient really need it or not? And if so, the physician would not issue a prescription where dosages can be controlled. Patients would receive a document allowing them to visit a dispensary where there may not be sufficient controls on dosages and length of use.

“There is no prescription, and this is what people don’t realize,” Rutherford said.

“And that’s because you can’t get it from a pharmacist. You have to go to these dispensaries.”

FLORIDA SHERIFFS OPPOSE IT

According to a resolution passed by the Florida Sheriffs Association, legalizing marijuana along the lines of the amendment would produce significant dangers to Florida youth. The legalization of marijuana will make this drug easier to obtain by teens. They would not need parental consent to get a physician’s certification.

States that have passed legislation legalizing marijuana have seen an increase of youth in possession of marijuana. In Colorado, the marijuana use rate among teens is 50 percent above the national average.

Rutherford says people need to read the constitutional amendment. When they do, they won’t be fooled by the slick public relations campaign that’s being conducted by its supporters.

Grady Judd, president of the Florida Sheriffs Association and Polk County sheriff, said in a telephone interview that about 94 percent of the permits for medical marijuana in Colorado were in the “other” category — not the more publicized cases of legitimate relief for treatment of cancer, ALS and other debilitating diseases.

Judd also noted that the amendment takes the unusual step of freeing physicians and marijuana medical centers from criminal or civil liability under Florida law.

That’s a powerful exemption. And it should be a warning sign to voters.

An amendment must receive 60 percent of the votes. The law firm Morgan and Morgan, which is pushing the amendment, quotes a poll that says there is 73 percent support.

Undoubtedly, that is because most people have compassion for people suffering with debilitating diseases.

But in California, the typical consumer of medical marijuana is a male in his 30s. That’s not exactly a demographic known for its health problems, Judd said.

The legitimate use of medical marijuana can be approved through the Florida Legislature, just the way it was done for Charlotte’s Web.

Amending the Florida Constitution is no way to provide that relief.

There are legitimate uses for medical marijuana.

But the constitutional amendment is the wrong solution for a legitimate medical need.

Great article in the Washington post. It documents how most pot busts are budget related. Cops use seized money and assets from marijuana arrests as well as rely on federal grant money from the war on drugs for their operating budget.

Here's are some excerpts;
"Grants to states and localities are not contingent on increasing drug arrests, but federal officials acknowledge that many police chiefs and sheriffs believe racking up arrests bolsters their case for money they have come to depend on."

"Every year, you’d say, ‘This is what we did, these are our arrests,’ and you’d get the federal money,” says Art Watson, chief deputy sheriff in Hancock County. The sheriff’s office uses grant money to fund one of the two deputies it assigns to the drug task force and to pay overtime to officers."

"Hancock County’s drug task force found more than 100 marijuana plants there in 2004 and took the couple’s land and horses. After years of legal battles, the sheriff’s office now uses the place as a shooting range."

"When we get big money, it’s from marijuana,” Simala says. The task force keeps 80 percent of the cash it seizes and uses the money for its $1,250 monthly rent, equipment and vehicles and to fund undercover drug buys. “Without seized money, we wouldn’t be in business.”

Not only will it reduce their seizure profits, but it may cost some of them their jobs since they won't need to enforce the marijuana laws. Rutherford's main concern is hiring as many cops as he can. He would like a cop on every street corner.

"According to a resolution passed by the Florida Sheriffs Association, legalizing marijuana along the lines of the amendment would produce significant dangers to Florida youth. The legalization of marijuana will make this drug easier to obtain by teens. They would not need parental consent to get a physician’s certification." Um, Florida's youth~most state's youth~know where to get cannabis anytime they want it. As well as the prescription drugs in their parent's medicine cabinets. Oh yeah and alcohol.
“They want you to think this is medical, but this is recreational,” Rutherford said. “You could get it for most anything — anxiety, cramps, a sore back.” Yeah, well that is up to the physician if they want to lose their license to practice then it is their choice if they will be part of this. Also the DEA is watching physicians closely with the number of prescriptions they write for the legal course of narcotics. I have been unable to get the drugs I need due to this. Do not like to take these, but if not the quality of my life would be where I would barely get out of bed or walk. It is what it is. The does I take are the minimum to aid in daily function.
I have read the amendment. Yes it has legalese, but all such documents do.
As far a the individual dosage requirements, that would be between them and their doctors.
This will provide many with an alternative to what is legal now. When I traveled to a state that provides it for medical needs, I am able to stop the narcotics and am able to accomplish more in a day then with the legal stuff.